Carton sealing machine



July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 28, 1958 m5 QQ will/271111,

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ATTORNEYS July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 INVENTOR Rene J Gauber/ ATTORA/[YJ y1951 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE mu mH-hH 8 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. Rene J. Gal/barf I n @im l Filed Nov. 28, 1958 qm mHrhm-wATTORNEY! July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINESheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 INVENTOR. 26/76 .1 (fauber/ ATTOE'A/EY5 m-M m-HL NQ July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTON SEALING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT CARTONSEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed NOV. 28, 1958 mo //4 & M m /42 hIE E IN V EN TOR Rene J Gauber/ ATTORNEY! July 25, 1961 R. J. GAUBERT2,993,319

CARTON SEALING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.Aene J. Gouberf United States Patent Gfice Patented July 25, 19612,993,319 CARTON SEALING MACHINE Rene J. Gaubert, 4206 ()akmore Road,Oakland, Calif. Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 777,022 Claims. (Cl.53-374) This invention relates to carton shaping and sealing machines,and is particularly concerned with machines of this character for use inthe sealing and shaping of waxed paperboard cartons that have previouslybeen filled with frozen foods.

Paperboard cartons conventionally used in the frozen food industryemploy means for interlocking with the flaps. Cartons of this generaltype have a number of shortcomings. Principal among these are increasedinitial cost and an inability of the cartons filled with frozen materialto be shaped to provide a flattened squared product. As a result, thefilled cartons are not easily stacked or packaged with other cartons ofthe same type. Also, it is necessary that an expensive overwrapper beemployed, to insure a protective airtight seal. These overwrappersrequire additional machinery, and added steps in the processing.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cartonsealing machine which can be used with cartons employing no interlockingmeans, and which will provide a filled, sealed carton that is flat onall sides so as to be easily stacked and packaged.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carton sealingmachine that will close and seal the carton sufiiciently Well that thecarton is rendered airtight without the need of an overwrapper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton sealing machineof the above character which is fully automatic in operation, and whichoperates to seal the carton on three sides and to apply pressure for thepurpose of shaping the carton.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton shaping andsealing machine of the above character which operates in continuousfashion to carry cartons through the machine in successive operatingsteps so that the cartons can be filled, sealed and shaped, and thenpassed to final packaging.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, as illustratedin the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURES 1A, 1B and 1C are a top plan view of a machine embodying theinvention;

FIGURES 2A, 2B and 2C are aview in longitudinal sec. tion and elevationthereof;

FIGURES 3 to 6 are views in transverse section along the lines 3-3 to 66of FIGURES 2B and 2C;

FIGURES 7A to 7E are views in perspective of a carton, illustrating thevarious stages in the operation of the machine; and

FIGURE 8 is a detail view along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 1B.

In general, the carton sealing machine of the present invention operatesin conjunction with a prefabricated carton employing a top foldablecover having side and front flaps which are folded against the sides ofthe carton. The cartons are preferably waxed paperboard cartons of thetype used for packaging frozen foods of various types. The machineperforms the function of closing the top cover against the filledcontents, folding and sealing the side and front flaps to the carton,and pressing the same against the carton and its contents to provide afilled, sealed carton having flat planar sides. When waxed paperboardcartons are employed, the machine also performs the function of dewaxingprior to the sealing and pressing of the flaps against the sides of thecanton.

The preferred embodiment of the machine illustrated in the drawingcomprises a frame including respective side frames 10 and 12 spacedapart and supported by the end frames 14, crossbars 16, and the pedestalsupports 18. The frame provides a mounting for means forming variousoperating stations in the machine including a first folding station 20,a first pressing station 22, a first dewaxing station 24, a first gluingstation 26, a second folding station 28 (FIGURES 1C and 2C), a secondpressing station 30, a transfer or turning station 32, a second dewaxingstation 34 (FIGURES 1B and 2B), a second gluing station 36, a thirdfolding station 38, and a third pressing station 40 (FIGURES 1A and 2A).There is some overlapping of the operation of station 22. As willappear, the pressure applied by this station is held continuouslythroughout the operations of stations 24 to 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first linear conveyor 42comprising the pair of endless chains 44 is associated with theoperation of the stations 20' to 30 so that folding of the top cover ofthe cartons, folding the side flaps of the cover, sealing the side flapsand pressing the top and sides fiat (FIGURES 7A to 7C) is allaccomplished in conjunction with such first linear conveyor. A secondlinear conveyor 46 comprising the pair of endless chains 48 isassociated with the stations 36 to 40 so that the folding of the frontflap of the cartons, sealing the front flap, and pressing the front flapfiat against the carton (FIGURE 7B) is all performed in conjunction withthe second linear conveyor. The transfer station 32 is positionedbetween the first and second linear conveyors, and functions to rotatethe cartons in sequence (FIGURES 7C and 7D) to facilitate their properalinernent in the separate folding, sealing, and pressing operations.

The drive mechanism of the machine includes a suitable source of powersuch as an electric motor 50 (FIG- URES 1A and 2A) which functionsthrough the power take-off and gear box assembly 52, 53 and 54 tooperate a drive shaft 56 journaled in the side plates 10 and 12. Theshaft 56 carries sprockets 58 for the chains of the second linearconveyor 46, which is looped about the additional sprocket and shaftassemblies 62, 63 and 64, 65 (FIGURES 2A and 2B). The shaft 65 of thelatter, through the power take-off 66 (FIGURES 1B and 2B), operates thedrive shaft 68 carrying sprockets 70 for the first linear conveyor 42.The conveyor 42 is additionally looped about the sprocket and shaftassemblies 74, and 76, 77. The shaft 65 also provides drive impetus forthe transfer device 32 through the power take-off 78 (FIG- URE 6). Theconveyor drive shafts 56 and 68 have additional drive mechanisms of themachine connected thereto in a manner later described.

THE FIRST LINEAR CONVEYOR The first conveyor portion of the machinefunctions to receive cartons 81 one after another from a filling machine(not shown), Where a measured amount of food is introduced, andthereafter conveys them through the various operations performed at thestations 20 to 30. The body portions of the cartons received on theconveyor 42 are filled with the food, but the top cover 84 is open, asindicated in FIGURES 2C and 7A. Onceon the conveyor, the body of eachcarton is engaged by the rollers 86, attached at spaced intervals to thechains 44, and the carton is conveyed to the left as viewed in FIG- URE2C. The cartons are subsequently guided on the conveyor by the lowersupport rails 88 and by the side rails 90. The conveyor chains 44 aresupported in their upper reach by the longitudinal supports 92 securedto the outermost rails 88. As will be understood, the cartons centeredand supported by the rails 88 and 90 will be engaged at spaced intervalsby the rollers 86 and but which solidifies when it cools.

sealing the flaps 130 is preferred because the cartons themselves areimpregnated with wax.

carton moving through the gluing station.

moved positively forward until the rollers 86 disengage from the cartonsas they pass downwardly about the shaft 68.

First folding and pr ssing stations In the illustrated embodiment, thefunctions of closing the cover 84 of a carton against the food contents82, and of applying pressure to squeeze the contents, is performed atthe stations 20 and 22 by the overhead, endless belts 100. These beltsare reeved about pulleys 102 and 104 on the overhead shafts 106 and 108.The shafts 106 and 108 also carry sprockets 1'10 and 112 about which arelooped drive chains 114. These chains and the "shaft 108 are driven by apower take-ofi 113 from the drive shaft 68 through the gears 116 and 118(FIGURES 1B and 2B).

Referring particularly to FIGURE 2C, it will be seen that the chains 114carry pairs of spaced guide members 120 and folding elements 122, whichextend transversely of the machine. These spaced elements cooperate withthe belts 100 and the rollers 86 of the conveyor 42 to first fold thetop cover 84 downward against the con tents of the package and then topartially fold a front flap portion 124 of the top cover about the foldline 126. This operation is clearly illustrated in the two right handpositions of the cartons 81 in FIGURE 2C. The belts 100 and transverseelements 120, 122 also function to squeeze the contents of the cartons81, so as to flatten the top cover 84 of the carton, and to hold thispressure throughout the remaining operations of the first conveyor (i.e.as performed at stations 24 to 30). Maintenance of continuous uniformpressure is insured by the passage of the belts and transverse elements120, 122 beneath the longitudinally extending presser elements 128, asparticularly shown in FIGURE 5.

First dewnxing sta'tion As waxed paperboard cartons are normally used inportions 130 of the cover, and the sides 129 of the carton, arepreferably dewaxed prior to the application of adhesive. This operationis performed at the dewaxing station 24 by the cartridge heaters 132.These heater units are mounted on the frame and support heat trans- 'feror contact elements 134 and ribbed upper guides 136. They also arespaced so that their inner surfaces will contact the sides 129 of thecartons. As illustrated in FIG- the packaging of frozen foods, theextending side flap URE 20, the contact elements 134 have downwardlyinclined entry portions 138 which insure that the flaps 130 will passabove the heating elements, and between the contacts 134 and guides 136.As the cartons pass through the dewaxing station, the wax coating on theflaps 130 and sides 129 is melted and removed.

First gluing station dip into tanks 144 containing a suitable adhesivematerial and are rotated into contact with the lower or inner surface ofthe flaps 1'30. Contact is maintained by the upper pressure rollers 142.The adhesive in the tanks 144 is preferably a special wax which is kepthot in the tanks, The use of wax in The rate of application of adhesiveby the rollers 144 is preferably the same as the linear rate of speed ofthe In the illustrated apparatus, this is accomplished by the powertakeoff 146 between the conveyor 42 and the sprockets 150 at the gluingstation, and further by the gear train 152, 154, 156 leading to theadhesive applying roller 140. It

will be understood that the adhesive can be applied in a The secondfolding station The second folding station 28 (FIGURE 4) includes a pairof folding rollers 160 which fold the adhesive coated side flaps downinto contact with the sides of the carton, and about the fold lines 131.These rollers can be of any suitable construction but, as illustrated,comprise rollers having two frusto conical sections 162, 164 presentingsurfaces at right angles to one another and spaced so as to just receivethe cartons therebetween. The rollers need not be geared but may befreely rotatable upon contact with the cartons 81.

The second pressing station The second pressing station 30 functions topress the folded side flaps 130 firmly against the carton and to flattenthe sides against the food contents within the carton (FIGURES 1B and2B). This pressing function is accomplished by the endless belts 170,reeved about the pulleys 172 and 174. The pulleys 172 are driven by theshaft 68 through the gear assemblies 174 so that the belts move at thesame linear speed as the cartons 81. As illustrated in FIGURE 8, eachgear assembly 174 includes a gear 1 76 splined to the shaft 68 andmeshed with a gear 178 carried by the vertical shafts 180 supporting thedrive pulleys 172.

The belts 170 are pressed and held firmly against the sides of thecartons advancing therebetween by means of the presser elements 182positioned on either side of the conveyor. Where the special wax is usedto seal the side flaps 130 against the cartons, the presser elements 180can be chilled, for example by the passage of brine, cooling water orother coolant throughthe interior of the elements 180, as indicated. Itwill be understood that the use of chilling means in connection with thepressure belts 170 serves to rapidly solidify the special wax, andrigidly adhere the side flaps 130 to the carton.

TRANSFER OR TURNING STATION A carton advanced by the first linearconveyor 42 into the transfer or turning station 32 is engaged by anintermittent motion mechanism and rotated 90 As the mechanism pausesmomentarily, the carton is engaged by the second linear conveyor 46 andremoved from the transfer mechanism for subsequent operations.

As illustrated, the intermittent motion mechanism is of the Geneva typeand includes a Geneva wheel 190, preferably designed with four Wings 192separated by the radially extending slots 194. The operator 196 for themechanism is rotated by the power take-off 78 and in cludes an extendingarm provided with a pin 198, adapted to engage in the slots 194, and thesemicircular segment 200, adapted to rotate within the similarly shapedrecesses 202 of the wheel. The wheel is rigidly attached to a lower starwheel 204 by means of the vertically extending shaft 206. Since theoperator 196 receives its rotary impetus from the shaft 65, it rotatesin a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 23. As a result,rotary engagement of the pin 198 in a slot 194 causes the star wheel 204to smoothly accelerate and decelerate through a 90 turn. When the arm196 is rotating through the upper part of its cycle, engagement of thesegment 200 in recess 202 serves to hold the star wheel stationary. Thestar wheel is thus rotated smoothly and intermittently throughsuccessive 90 turns, followed by periods of rest, in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIGURE 1B.

Referring to FIGURES 1B and 2B, it will be observed that the star wheel204 is suspended above the table 205 which is positioned adjacent andbetween the ends of the linear conveyors 42 and 46. Rotation of thewheel 204 is such that a carton discharged from the conveyor 42 isreceived in properly timed relation within one of the rectangularsegments 207 of the star wheel. Timing or synchronization is easilyaccomplished since the power for each of the conveyors 42, 46 and forthe transfer mechanism v32 is derived from the same source (i.e. themain conveyor drive shaft 56). The end result is that a carton.

will be received within the star wheel 204, while it is at rest, will berotated through a 90 are on the table 205, and then discharged during arest period of the transfer device onto the conveyor 46.

The transfer dewce also includes means to insure that a carton will beheld in proper position within the star wheel 204 during its period ofrotation. The illustrated mechanism for this purpose includes the rockerarm 208 (FIGURE 6) which is supported for pivotal movements about acenter pin 210 supported by the inwardly protruding wall or boss 212 ofthe support 213; The extending end of the rocker arm is pivotallysecured to the bushing 214 and sleeve 216 which receive the verticalshaft 206. The latter are attached to the transverse plate 218 by meansof the dog 220 and the set screw 222. As will be apparent, rocking ofthe arm 208 will serve to raise or lower the plate 218 above the starWheel 204.

The free end of the rocking arm 208 is supported by the line 224 and isalso normally biased in an upward direction by the spring 226. The line224 is pivotally attached to a follower arm 228 (FIGURE 2B) which inturn is engaged by a cam 230, carried by the shaft 232 for the operator.Engagement of the cam 230 with the follower arm 228 functions to rockthearm 208 to raise the plate 218, whereas disengagement of the cam 230permits the spring 226 to rock the arm 208 to lower the plate. The plate218 is provided in turn with depending frictional elements 232 which actto engage the cartons within the star wheel 204, to hold them in properalinement. As illustrated, the cam 230 is approximately 180 out of phasewith the operator arm 196. Consequently, thefrictional elements 232 areheld in lowered position by the spring 226 during the turning movementof the transfer mechanism and wheel 204, and function to assist in theturning operation as well as in maintaining'proper alinement.Conversely, the elements are in raised position when the wheel 204 is atrest.

THE SECOND LINEAR CONVEYOR The second conveyor portion of the machinefunctions similarly to the first conveyor portion 42 to convey thecartons through the various operations performed at the stations 34 to40. The cartons in the discharge side of the transfer mechanism areengaged by the rollers 240 at intervals, and moved out of the star wheel204. It will be understood that the cartons are positioned on theconveyor with the front flaps 124 extending laterally outward, andtoward the bottom and left as viewed in FIG- URES 1B and 6,.respectively. Preferably a guide rail 242 having an upwardly inclinedentry portion 244 is provided to both insure a proper positioning of thecarton during rotation, and to raise the front flap 124 for subsequentdewaxing operations. As the cartons move onto the conveyor 46, they areagain supported on lower rails 244a and between side rails 246, whichextend longitudinally of the conveyor. The chains 48 in the upper reachof the conveyor are likewise supported by the longitudinal supports 248secured to the outermost of the rails 244a.

Second dewaxing station The raised front flap portions 124 and frontsides 125 of the cartons are dewaxed at the station 34. The apparatusemployed can be substantially identical in construction to the apparatusat the station 24, with the exception that only one dewaxing unit isrequired. This unit 250 can comprise the cartridge heaters 252, thecontact elements 254, and the ribbed upper guides 256 (FIGURE 1B). Thedescribed apparatus functions to remove the wax from the flaps I24 andsides 125 as they pass through the station 34 and between the contacts254 and guides 256.

Second gluing station A carton advanced from the dewaxing station 34 hasits front flap 124 engaged by the rollers 260 and 262 of 6 the secondgluing station. The construction of the ap-' paratusat' this station canlikewise be substantially identicalto that described in connection withthe'first statiorr 26, and can employ a single adhesive tank 264 anddrive' assembly 266 to 273. As the operation of this apparatus isunchanged, it need not be further described.

The third folding. and pressing stations Folding and pressing of thefront flaps 124 against the sidesof the carton is accomplished at thestations 38 and, 40 in substantially the samefashion as previouslydescribed in connection with the folding station 28 and pressing station30. The only difference is that a single folding roller 27-4 is employedin the folding station. The apparatus of the pressing station,designated at 276 to 282, can be identical to that described for thesecond pressingstation and can employ gear assemblies 284 to drive theendless belts 280 as illustrated in FIGURE 8.

It will be understood that the folding roller 274 acts to foldtheadhesive coated front flap 124 down into contact with thesides of thecarton, and the pressure belts 280 to press, chill and solidify thespecial wax to thereby rigidly adhere the flaps 124 to the cartons.

' While not illustrated, it is contemplated that an overhead pressuredevice, such as the belts in conveyor 42, can likewise be employedduring the operations performed on the conveyor 46. The function of suchdevice to maintain the top covers 84 of the cartons flat would be thesame.

OPERATION Reviewing briefly the operation of the machine, cartons 81which have previously been filled with food, enter the machine with thecover 84 open and the flaps 124' and 130 extending outwardly from thecover (FIGURE 7A). Each carton is engaged at a spaced interval byrollers 86 of the conveyor 42 and moved into engagement with theoverhead endless belts 100 at the first folding station 20. These belts,which pass beneath the longitudinally extending presser elements 128,function to fold the top cover 84 downward and to squeeze the contentsof the carton so that the cover portion is flattened (FIG- URE 7B).Simultaneously, the tops of the cartons are engaged with the transverseelements and 122 which function to properly aline and position thecartons, to assist in the squeezing operations, and to fold the frontflap 124 downwardly about the fold line 126. During the operations, thesdie flaps are held open by engagement with the entry portions 138 ofthe dewaxing station 24. As the cartons pass through the dewaxer, thecartridge heaters 132 and contact elements 134 act to remove the waxcoating from the flaps 130 and sides 129 of the cartons. The under sidesof the flaps can now be coated with a layer of adhesive material, atstation 26, by the rollers 140. Theserollers rotate in unison with thecartons 81 by virtue of power transmission received from the conveyorthrough the take-off 146. The side flaps are next bent downward aboutthe fold lines 131 by the folding rollers 160, at the folding station28, and then pressed into tight sealing engagement with the carton bythe pressure belts 170, at station 30 (FIGURE 7C). Thesebelts also serveto flatten the sides of the carton. The adhesive material foldedbetween. the side flaps 130 and the carton can be simultaneouslysolidified by the chilling elements 182. The cartons are now dischargedfrom the end of the first conveyor 42 and into the transfer station 32,which is positioned above the inlet end of the second conveyor 46. Atthe same time the cartons are released from the overhead pressureimposed in the first conveyor by the belts 100.

The cartons are rotated 90 about a vertical axis in the transferstation, in a gradually accelerating and decelerating movement (FIGURE7D). During the turning operation, the cartons are held in properalinement by the sides of the star wheel 204 and by downward pressureexerted by the pressure elements 232 which rotate in unison with thetransfer mechanism. The front flap portions 124 of the cartons aresimultaneously raised into a laterally extending position by theupwardly tapering inlet portions 244 of the guide rail 242.

The transfer mechanism at the station 32 includes an intermittent motiondevice, so that the star wheel 204 is at rest as the cartons 81 aredischarged within its confines from the conveyor 42. The mechanism thenrotates and subsequently is at rest for a period during which therollers 240 of the second conveyor 46 are enabled to engage the cartonsand convey them out of the transfer station to the dewaxing station 34.Here the extending front flaps 124 and the front sides 125 are engagedand dewaxed. The under sides of the flaps 124 are subsequently coatedwith adhesive by the rollers 260, at station 36, folded downwardlyagainst the sides 125 by the folding roller 274, at station 38, andsqueezed between the pressure belts 280 in the final pressing station 40(FIG- URE 7E). The latter station is also provided with chilling means282 which solidifies the adhesive. These latter operations serve tosqueeze and flatten the front and back sides of the cartons to producefour sided cartons that are flat on all sides and which can be easilystacked or packed in cases with other cartons. The sealed and shapedcattons (FIGURE 7E) are fully airtight, and provide complete protectionto the filled contents. They can now be passed through a freezing zonewhere a final solidification of the food product can be obtained. Noexterior wrapping or other final packaging is necessary.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connectionwith a preferred embodiment, it is capable of other variations andmodifications within the scope of the claims presented hereto.

I claim:

1. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for usewith filled cartons employing top foldable covers having integral frontand side flap portions: a first linear conveyor including means forreceiving a filled carton, folding its top cover, folding the side flapportions, sealing the side flap portions tothe carton, and pressing thetop cover and side flap portions flat against the contents of thecarton; a second linear conveyor including means for folding the frontflap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flatagainst the contents of the canton; and transfer means including wheelmeans between said conveyors for rotating the carton in a horizontalplane to facilitate proper alinement of the integral cover portions inthe separate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machineoperating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularlysuited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

2. In a carton shaping and sealing machine .of a type adapted for usewith filled waxed fibrous cartons employing top foldable covers havingintegral front and side portions: 3. first linear conveyor includingmeans for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover, dewaxing theside flap portions, folding the side flap portions, sealing the sideflap portions to the carton, and pressing the top cover and side flapportions flat against the filled contents of the carton; a second linearconveyor including means for dewaxing the front flap portion, foldingthe front flap portion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing itflat; and transfer means including wheel means between said conveyorsfor rotating the carton in a horizontal plane to facilitate its properalinement in the separate folding, sealing and pressing operations; suchmachine operating to process filled, squared, flattened cartonsparticularly suited to stacking and packaging with other cartons;

. 3. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for usewith filled cartons employing top foldable covers havingintegral frontand side portions: a firstconveyor incorporating a first folding stationfor re ceiving a filled carton, folding its top cover against the filledcontents and pressing it flat, a first gluing station for applyingadhesive material to side flap portions of the top cover, and a secondfolding station forfolding the side flap portions against the carton andpressing them flat; a second conveyor incorporating a second gluingstation for applying adhesive material to a front flap portion of thetop cover, and a third folding station for folding the front flapportion against the carton and pressing it flat; and transfer meansincluding segmented wheel means between said conveyors for rotating thesealing carton about a vertical axis to facilitate the progressive coverfolding and sealing operations and to provide proper alinement; wherebya filled sealed carton having planar sides is provided.

4. A machine as in claim 3 wherein said first and second conveyors eachinclude a linear portion passing through the respective folding, gluingand pressing stations.

5. In a carton shaping and sealing machine; first folding and pressingstations for receiving a filled car-ton, folding its top coverdownwardly against the filled contents and pressing it fiat; a firstgluing station for applying adhesive material to extending side flapportions of the top cover; second folding and pressing stations forfolding such extending side flap portions downwardly against the sidesof the carton and for pressing them fiat; a transfer station includingwheel means adapted to rotate the carton in a horizontal plane through aare; a second gluing station for applying adhesive material to anextending front flap portion of the top cover; third folding andpressing stations for folding the front flap portion against thecartonand for pressing it flat; and means conveying said cartonscontinuously through said aforementioned stations.

6. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of the type particularlyadapted for use with waxed fibrous cartons: first folding and pressingstations for receiving a filled carton, folding its top cover downwardlyagainst the contents and pressing it flat; a dewaxing station includingheating elements adapted to contact extending side flap portions of thetop cover; a first gluing station for applying adhesive material to saidextending side flap portions; second folding and pressing stations forfolding the extending side flap portions downwardly against the sides ofthe carton and for pressing them fiat; a transfer station for rotatingthe carton through a 90 are; a second dewaxing station including heatingelements adapted to contact a front flap portion of the top cover; asecond gluing station for applying adhesive material to said extendingfront flap portion; third folding and pressing stations for folding thefront flap portion against the carton and for pressing it flat; andmeans conveying said cartons continuously through said aforementionedstations.

7. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for usewith waxed fibrous cartons employing top foldable covers having frontand side portions; a first linear conveyor including means for receivinga filled carton, folding its top cover, dewaxing the side flap portions,folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions to thecarton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat againstthe filled contents of the carton, a second linear conveyor includingmeans for dewaxing the front flap portion, folding the front flapportion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flat; each ofsaid means for dewaxing the flap portions including heating elementsadapted to contact the same; and transfer means between said conveyorsfor rotating the carton to facilitate its proper alinement in theseparate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machineoperating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularlysuited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

8. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for usewith waxed fibrous cartons employing top foldable covers having frontand side portions; a first lin ar onv yor including means for receivinga filled carton, folding its top cover, dewaXing the side flap portions,folding the side flap portions, sealing the side flap portions to thecarton, and pressing the top cover and side flap portions flat againstthe filled contents of the carton; a second linear conveyor includingmeans for dewaxing the front flap portion, folding the front flapportion, sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it flat; each ofsaid means for sealing the flap portions including means to apply aheat-softened adhesive material and cooling means to subsequentlycontact said flap pontions; and transfer means between said conveyorsfor rotating the carton to facilitate its proper alinement in theseparate folding, sealing and pressing operations; such machineoperating to process filled, squared, flattened cartons particularlysuited to stacking and packaging with other cartons.

9. In a carton shaping and sealing machine of a type adapted for usewith filled cartons employing top foldable covers having integral frontand side portions: a first linear conveyor including means for receivinga filled canton, folding its top cover, folding the side flap portions,sealing the side flap portions to the carton, and pressing the top coverand side flap portions flat against the contents of the carton; a secondlinear conveyor including means for folding the front flap portion,sealing the same to the carton, and pressing it fiat against thecontents of the carton; and transfer means between said conveyors forrotating the canton in a horizonal plane to facilitate proper alinementof the integral cover portions in the separate folding, sealing andpressing operations, said transfer means including horizontally disposedwheel means operable by an intermittent motion mechanism to pause toreceive a carton from the first conveyor, rotate, and then pause forremoval of the carton by the second conveyor; such machine operating toprocess filled, squared, flattened cartons particularly suited tostacking and packaging with other cartons.

10. In a carton shaping and sealing machine adapted for use with waxedfibrous cartons; a first folding station for receiving filled cartonsand for folding a top cover portion downwardly against the contents; afirst pressing station for pressing the top cover portion flat againstthe contents; a first dewaxing station including means adapted tocontact extending side flap portions of the top cover portion; a firstgluing station for applying a heat-softened adhesive material to saidextending side flap portions; a second folding station for folding saidside flap portions downwardly against the carton; a second pressingstation for pressing said side flap portions fiat against the carton andcontents; a second dewaxing means including a heating element adapted tocontact an extending front flap portion of the top cover; a thirdfolding station for folding the front flap portion downwardly againstthe carton; a third pressing station for pressing said front flapportion flat against the carton and contents; con- References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,198,740 Martin Sept. 19,1916 1,779,985 Schroeder Oct. 28, 1930 2,215,545 Demler Sept. 24, 19402,577,529 Derr Dec. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 736,140 Great Britain Aug.21, 1955

